Novak Djokovic Suffers Shock First-Round US Open Exit to Mariano Navone
- The match marked the longest opening-round Grand Slam match of Djokovic's career and his earliest exit at a major tournament in two decades, dating back to the 2006...
- “It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there,” Djokovic said.
- Reporting from the source highlighted that the match was briefly halted during the first set so the roof above Arthur Ashe Stadium could be closed due to rain...
A Grueling Marathon and Physical Collapse
The match marked the longest opening-round Grand Slam match of Djokovic’s career and his earliest exit at a major tournament in two decades, dating back to the 2006 Australian Open, as noted by the source. It also represented his first-ever first-round defeat at the US Open. During the contest, Djokovic threw up at least once, required medical timeouts for lower back massages, and was given pills by a doctor while visibly grimacing after shots.
“It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there,” Djokovic said. “Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. Yeah, the back just gave up in the end, and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out.”
Reporting from the source highlighted that the match was briefly halted during the first set so the roof above Arthur Ashe Stadium could be closed due to rain suspending play on outer courts. Djokovic finished the match with 70 unforced errors, bringing an end to his streak of 78 Grand Slam first-round victories that stretched back to his 2006 loss against Paul Goldstein at the Australian Open.
Navone Claims Historic Victory on the Grand Stage
For Mariano Navone, the 25-year-old from Nueve de Julio, Buenos Aires, the win marked a career milestone. Ranked 48th in the world, Navone capitalized on Djokovic’s physical decline to secure his first-ever five-set victory.
“[It] was very tough for me because you are playing with the ‘GOAT’ [greatest of all time] on this court,” Navone said. “For sure it’s the best thing I’ve had on court. This is an amazing court and the biggest stage. It’s amazing, the way we play. I mean, five sets … I’m very happy. I don’t know. What can I say?”
Mariano Navone
The source noted that Navone arrived at the US Open following a Round of 32 appearance in Winston-Salem, where he was defeated in straight sets by James Duckworth. Following his victory over Djokovic, Navone expressed disbelief, telling reporters, It’s a dream come true, I mean seriously, 100 per cent.
Uncertainty Surrounds Djokovic’s Future
The defeat compounds a difficult stretch for the Serbian star, who previously lost in the second round at the hardcourt tuneup in Cincinnati and fell to top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the semifinals at Wimbledon. Twenty-one years to the day after his US Open debut, Djokovic addressed questions regarding whether this match might be his final appearance at a major tournament.
“I didn’t enjoy myself,” Djokovic told the source after the match. “I think it’s obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me.” He added that he was “trying to address really what’s going on and how far I can go this way.”